NO20161422A1

NO20161422A1 - Closed cage

Info

Publication number: NO20161422A1
Application number: NO20161422A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Morten Aga
Original assignee: Searas As
Priority date: 2016-09-07
Filing date: 2016-09-07
Publication date: 2018-03-08
Also published as: NO342403B1; EP3509417A1; CN109963463B; EP3509417A4; WO2018048310A1; CN109963463A

Description

Området for oppfinnelsen The field of the invention

Den foreliggende oppfinnelse vedrører et arrangement og fremgangsmåte for lukket oppdrettsmerd. The present invention relates to an arrangement and method for closed rearing cages.

Oppfinnelsens bakgrunn The background of the invention

Oppdrettsnæringen i Norge opplever sterk etterspørsel etter fisk. Behovet for vekst er prekært for å møte etterspørselen til sentrale markeder. Verdens økte proteinbehov i fremtiden må for en vesentlig grad dekkes fra havbruk. Det har i de senere årene vært en utfordring å få økt produksjonen i takt med etterspørsel. The aquaculture industry in Norway is experiencing strong demand for fish. The need for growth is precarious to meet the demand of central markets. The world's increased need for protein in the future must be met to a significant extent from aquaculture. In recent years, it has been a challenge to increase production in line with demand.

Luseproblematikk og tilgang på areal har i flere sammenhenger vært nevnt som de viktigste årsaker til at oppdrettsvolumet ikke kan økes tilstrekkelig. Lice problems and access to land have in several contexts been mentioned as the most important reasons why the farming volume cannot be increased sufficiently.

Utvikling av nye løsninger for å løse disse utfordringene vil være påkrevd for økt vekst i tiden fremover. Det er en forutsetning at vekst skal skje innenfor definerte bærekraftkriterier, herunder også økonomisk bærekraft. Det vil si at løsningene må være kostnadseffektive. Development of new solutions to solve these challenges will be required for increased growth in the future. It is a prerequisite that growth must take place within defined sustainability criteria, including economic sustainability. This means that the solutions must be cost-effective.

Spesielt på grunn av de store utfordringer med smitte av oppdrettsfisken med parasitter så har man i det siste utviklet flytende lukkede merdanlegg. Slike anlegg har en tett merdpose, dvs. den er tett eller vannugjennomtrengelig i posens bunn- og veggpartier. Det er vanlig at man innenfor denne tette pose kan ha en konvensjonell merdnot. Especially due to the major challenges with infection of farmed fish with parasites, floating closed cage systems have recently been developed. Such facilities have a tight mesh bag, i.e. it is tight or impermeable to water in the bottom and wall parts of the bag. It is common for a conventional mesh net to be found within this tight bag.

De ulike merdene er store, gjerne med størrelser på 50x50 meter eller runde anlegg med en diameter på 50m, og dybden kan også være betydelig og ofte mer enn 30 meter. Når en slik tett merdpose (merd med vannugjennomtrengelige vegger) utplasseres i sjø eller vann så vil det virke store krefter på merdposen, og man opplever ofte at disse kreftene blir for tore i forhold til materialvalg og konstruksjonen av merden, og at merdposene revner. The various cages are large, usually with sizes of 50x50 meters or round facilities with a diameter of 50m, and the depth can also be considerable and often more than 30 metres. When such a dense cage bag (cage with water-impermeable walls) is deployed in sea or water, large forces will act on the cage bag, and one often experiences that these forces are too large in relation to the choice of material and the construction of the cage, and that the cage bags crack.

Det er således et formål med foreliggende oppfinnelse å frembringe et merdarrangement med tette lukkede merdposer som kan tåle større ytre krefter enn dagens konvensjonelle løsninger. It is thus an aim of the present invention to produce a cage arrangement with tightly closed cage bags which can withstand greater external forces than today's conventional solutions.

De krefter som virker på en merdpose i et merdarrangement er strømnings- og bølgekrefter, og også noe vindkrefter. Videre vil ulike fyllingsgrad (mengde vann i merden) også kunne bevirke sterke krefter på merdposen. The forces acting on a cage bag in a cage arrangement are flow and wave forces, and also some wind forces. Furthermore, different degrees of filling (amount of water in the cage) can also cause strong forces on the cage bag.

Formålet med oppfinnelsen er å utvikle et merdarrangement som tåler mer ytre påkjenning en kjente løsninger, og med dette så oppnår man at merdene kan anvendes i områder og areal som tidligere har vært for værharde. The purpose of the invention is to develop a cage arrangement that withstands more external stress than known solutions, and with this one achieves that the cages can be used in areas and areas that have previously been too hardy.

Som andre lukkede anlegg vil merdene være skjermet mot lus og andre parasitter og mikroorganismer som føres gjennom noten i ikke-lukkede anlegg. Like other closed facilities, the cages will be protected against lice and other parasites and micro-organisms that are passed through the groove in non-closed facilities.

Oppsummering av oppfinnelsen Summary of the invention

Den foreliggende oppfinnelse vedrører således i et første aspekt et flytende tett merdarrangement) for opprett av marine organismer, hvor arrangementet omfatter; The present invention thus relates in a first aspect to a floating dense cage arrangement) for the creation of marine organisms, where the arrangement includes;

- en lukket merd med vannugjennomtrengelige vegger for etablering av et hoved vannmagasin, hvor veggene er festet til en flytekrage, - a closed cage with water-impermeable walls for the establishment of a main water reservoir, where the walls are attached to a floating collar,

- minst én inntaksrørledning for tilførsel av friskt vann, - at least one intake pipeline for the supply of fresh water,

- minst én utløpsrørledning for utførsel av vann og avfall fra merden, - at least one outlet pipeline for the discharge of water and waste from the cage,

karakterisert ved at characterized by that

- merdarrangementet omfatter en andre flytekrage arrangert innvendig i forhold til nevnte første flytekrage, og - the cage arrangement comprises a second floating collar arranged internally in relation to said first floating collar, and

- at det mellom nevnte første og andre flytekrager er anordnet en vannugjennomtrengelig vegg slik at det etableres et andre vannmagasin (B) utvendig i forhold til merden. - that a water-impermeable wall is arranged between said first and second floating collars so that a second water reservoir (B) is established on the outside in relation to the cage.

I en foretrukket utførelse er de vannugjennomtrengelige vegger av et fleksibelt materiale, så som duk eller presenning. In a preferred embodiment, the water-impermeable walls are made of a flexible material, such as canvas or tarpaulin.

I en utførelse er de vannugjennomtrengelige vegger av et i hovedsak stivt materiale , så som glassfiber, stål, betong. In one embodiment, the water-impermeable walls are of an essentially rigid material, such as fiberglass, steel, concrete.

I en utførelse er den første flytekrage dimensjonert med større oppdriftseffekt enn den første flytekrage. In one embodiment, the first floating collar is dimensioned with a greater buoyancy effect than the first floating collar.

I en utførelse er den andre flytekrage dimensjonert og har oppdriftsegenskaper tilstrekkelig til at den holder vekten av økt vannvolum som følge av pumping av vann inn i merden, eller ved annen forflytning av vann så som ved påvirkning av ytre krefter som bølge- eller strømningskrefter. In one embodiment, the second floating collar is dimensioned and has buoyancy properties sufficient for it to hold the weight of an increased volume of water as a result of pumping water into the cage, or by other movement of water such as by the influence of external forces such as wave or flow forces.

I en utførelse er den andre flytekrage dimensjonert med oppdriftsegenskaper som ikke er større enn at den ved betydelig vannforflytning i vannmagasinet (A) vil trekkes ned i vannet som den flyter i, mens den første flytekrage er dimensjonert med tilstrekkelige oppdriftselementer til å holdes flytende ved de samme vannforflytninger i vannmagasinet (A). In one embodiment, the second floating collar is dimensioned with buoyancy properties that are not greater than that, in the event of significant water movement in the water reservoir (A), it will be drawn down into the water in which it floats, while the first floating collar is dimensioned with sufficient buoyancy elements to be kept afloat at the same water movements in the water reservoir (A).

I en utførelse er det mellom den første flytekrage og den andre flytekrage anordnet en not eller netting for å hindre at de marine organismer i merden overføres mellom hovedvannmagasinet (A) og det andre vannmagasin (B). In one embodiment, a groove or mesh is arranged between the first floating collar and the second floating collar to prevent the marine organisms in the cage from being transferred between the main water reservoir (A) and the second water reservoir (B).

I en utførelse er det mellom den første flytekrage og den andre flytekrage anordnet avstandselementer for å holde den andre flytekrage i en avstand fra den utvendige første flytekrage. In one embodiment, distance elements are arranged between the first floating collar and the second floating collar to keep the second floating collar at a distance from the outer first floating collar.

I en utførelse er nevnte avstandselementer fleksible og innrettet slik at de kan oppta noe bevegelse mellom den første flytekrage og den andre flytekrage når hovedvannmagasinet (A) utsettes for ytre krefter, eller når fyllingsgraden i merden endres. In one embodiment, said spacers are flexible and arranged so that they can accommodate some movement between the first float collar and the second float collar when the main water reservoir (A) is exposed to external forces, or when the degree of filling in the cage changes.

I en utførelse er den andre flytekrage dimensjonert i forhold til dukens styrke og reduserer eller eliminerer faren for overbelastninger av den fleksible duk/nettets kapasiteter. In one embodiment, the second floating collar is dimensioned in relation to the fabric's strength and reduces or eliminates the danger of overloading the flexible fabric/net's capacities.

I en utførelse er det innenfor den første flytekrage anordnet et antall ytterligere flytekrager for etablering av ytterligere vannvolum C mellom nevnte første flytekrage og den ytterligere flytekrage. In one embodiment, a number of additional float collars are arranged within the first float collar for establishing an additional water volume C between said first float collar and the further float collar.

I en utførelse er antall ytterligere flytekrager én, og at det etableres et vannvolum (C) mellom den første flytekrage (22) og denne ene (tredje) flytekrage. In one embodiment, the number of additional float collars is one, and that a volume of water (C) is established between the first float collar (22) and this one (third) float collar.

I en utførelse er det mellom nevnte flytekrager anordnet not eller netting for å hindre at de marine organismer overføres mellom vannmagasinene, og avstandselementer for å holde flytekragene i avstand fra hverandre. In one embodiment, a groove or netting is arranged between said floating collars to prevent the marine organisms from being transferred between the water reservoirs, and spacers to keep the floating collars at a distance from each other.

I en utførelse anvendes vannvolumet (B) og eventuelt ytterligere vannvolum (C)for vannbehandling, så som for rensing av vann, oksygenering, fjerning av karbondioksid, etc. som tilføres hovedvannmagasin (A). In one embodiment, the water volume (B) and any additional water volume (C) are used for water treatment, such as for water purification, oxygenation, removal of carbon dioxide, etc. which is fed to the main water reservoir (A).

I en utførelse er det i et parti i nevnte andre flytekrage arrangert et antall åpninger slik at vann kan strømme fra vannmagasin (B) til hovedvannmagasin (A). In one embodiment, a number of openings are arranged in a part of said second float collar so that water can flow from water reservoir (B) to main water reservoir (A).

I en utførelse er det i et parti i de ytterligere flytekrager arrangert et antall åpninger slik at vann kan strømme fra et vannvolum (C) til vannvolum (B). In one embodiment, a number of openings are arranged in a portion of the further float collars so that water can flow from a water volume (C) to a water volume (B).

I en utførelse benyttes vannvolumene (B) og (C) benyttes for vannbehandling i et resirkuleringssystem for vann. In one embodiment, the water volumes (B) and (C) are used for water treatment in a water recycling system.

I en utførelse anordnes installasjoner som plattform/gangbro over flytekragene og vannvolumene (B,C). In one embodiment, installations are arranged as a platform/walkway over the floating collars and water volumes (B,C).

I en utførelse er nevnte marine organismer fisk. In one embodiment, said marine organisms are fish.

I et andre aspekt vedrører foreliggende oppfinnelse en fremgangsmåte for behandling av vann som tilføres en oppdrettsmerd i et merdarrangement, kjennetegnet ved at merarrangementet omfatter minst to flytekrager og at det mellom disse flytekrager er anordnet en tett vegg innrettet slik at det etableres et vannmagasin (B) mellom flytekragene, og at vann som skal tilføres merden tilføres til dette vannmagasin (B), og at vannet påtvinges en strømningsbevegelse i vannmagasinets lengderetning, og at vannet idet det strømmer rundt merden i vannmagasin (B) utsettes for minst én vannbehandling, før vannet påtvinges å strømme gjennom åpninger i flytekrage og inn i merdens hovedvolum (A). In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for treating water that is supplied to a breeding cage in a cage arrangement, characterized in that the additional arrangement includes at least two float collars and that between these float collars a tight wall is arranged so that a water reservoir is established (B) between the float collars, and that water to be supplied to the cage is supplied to this water reservoir (B), and that the water is forced into a flow movement in the longitudinal direction of the water reservoir, and that the water, as it flows around the cage in the water reservoir (B), is subjected to at least one water treatment, before the water is forced to flow through openings in the float collar and into the cage's main volume (A).

I en utførelse omfatter merdarrangementet omfatter minst tre flytekrager slik at det etableres minst to vannmagasin (B,C) i tillegg til hovedmagasinet (A), og at vannbehandlingen foregår i disse minst to vannmagasin (B,C), idet vann som skal behandles tilføres vannmagasin (C), påtvinges å strømme i vannmagasinets (C) lengderetning, og via åpninger til vannmagasin (B), og videre i hele vannmagasin B sin lengderetning og via åpninger til merdens hovedmagasin (A). In one embodiment, the cage arrangement includes at least three floating collars so that at least two water reservoirs (B, C) are established in addition to the main reservoir (A), and that the water treatment takes place in these at least two water reservoirs (B, C), as water to be treated is supplied water reservoir (C), is forced to flow in the longitudinal direction of the water reservoir (C), and via openings to water reservoir (B), and further along the entire length of water reservoir B and via openings to the cage's main reservoir (A).

I en utførelse kan enhver vannbehandling utføres, fortrinnsvis valgt blant gruppen som består av fjerning av karbondioksid, tilføring av oksygen, fjerning av forurensninger og skimdrenering. In one embodiment, any water treatment may be performed, preferably selected from the group consisting of removing carbon dioxide, adding oxygen, removing contaminants, and skimming.

I en utførelse anvendes merdarrangementet som et resirkuleringsanlegg, og at betydelige deler av vannet som utløper via utløpsledninger (18,19) behandles i mens vannet strømmer gjennom vannmagasin (B,C). In one embodiment, the cage arrangement is used as a recycling facility, and that significant parts of the water that exits via outlet lines (18,19) are treated while the water flows through the water reservoir (B,C).

Beskrivelse av figurer Description of figures

Foretrukne utførelser av oppfinnelsen skal i det etterfølgende omtales mer detaljert med henvisning til de medfølgende figurene, hvori: Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figur 1 viser skjematisk et snitt av en utførelse av oppfinnelsen med to flytekrager og et vannvolum B mellom disse flytekrager. Figure 1 schematically shows a section of an embodiment of the invention with two float collars and a volume of water B between these float collars.

Figur 2 viser et utsnitt av en detalj av to flytekrager med avstandselementer og not. Figure 2 shows a section of a detail of two floating collars with distance elements and a groove.

Figur 3 viser en utførelse der det er benyttet tre flytekrager. Figure 3 shows an embodiment where three floating collars are used.

Figur 4 viser mulig vannstrømning i et arrangement med tre flytekrager. Figure 4 shows possible water flow in an arrangement with three floating collars.

Figur 5 viser hvordan en plattform eller gangbro kan anordnes over et antall flytekrager. Figure 5 shows how a platform or footbridge can be arranged over a number of floating collars.

Beskrivelse av foretrukne utførelser av oppfinnelsen. Description of preferred embodiments of the invention.

Oppfinnelsen beskriver en lukket merd som kan plasseres på mer utsatte lokaliteter i forhold til dagens eksisterende lukkede anlegg. The invention describes a closed cage that can be placed in more exposed locations compared to today's existing closed facilities.

Den lukkede merden består av en fleksibel duk/nett som er impermeabel for vann. Den holdes flytende av et primær oppdriftselement som er dimensjonert i forhold til styrke på den fleksible duken. Det som kjennetegner oppfinnelsen er at ved bølger med bølgeperioder som kan virke på den lukkede merder på en slik måte at større vannvolumer vil bli løftet ut av vannet når en fester duken direkte til hovedflytekrage vil en kunne overbelaste posen eller flyte kragen. Oppfinnelsen muliggjør at den ene oppdriftskragen blir trukket under vann ved en slik påkjenning. Dette vil gjøre at totalvolum, dvs. hovedvolumet A i selve merden og vannvolumet B mellom de to flytekrager vil øke når den andre flytekragen blir løftet ut av vannet. Dette skjer ved at vann beveger seg over den andre flytekragen og over i hovedvolum A. The closed cage consists of a flexible cloth/net that is impermeable to water. It is kept afloat by a primary buoyancy element which is dimensioned in relation to the strength of the flexible fabric. What characterizes the invention is that in the case of waves with wave periods that can act on the closed cage in such a way that larger volumes of water will be lifted out of the water when you attach the canvas directly to the main float collar, you will be able to overload the bag or float the collar. The invention makes it possible for one buoyancy collar to be pulled under water under such stress. This will mean that the total volume, i.e. the main volume A in the cage itself and the water volume B between the two floating collars will increase when the other floating collar is lifted out of the water. This happens by water moving over the second float collar and into the main volume A.

Figur 1 viser en slik utførelse av et merdarrangement 10. Merdarrangementet 10 omfatter minst en merd 12 og etablerer et vannvolum A innenfor merdens 12 vegger 14. I dette vannvolumet oppdrettes fisken. Merden 12 eller merdarrangementet 10 er utstyrt med midler for å føre vann inn til merden 12, i figuren vist med et vanninnløp 16. Videre er merden 12 utstyret med midler for å føre vann og avfall ut av merden 12, i figuren vist med et vannutløp 18 og et utløp 19 for avfall som slam, faeces, ikke-spist fôr etc.. Figure 1 shows such an embodiment of a cage arrangement 10. The cage arrangement 10 comprises at least one cage 12 and establishes a volume of water A within the walls 14 of the cage 12. In this volume of water the fish are reared. The cage 12 or the cage arrangement 10 is equipped with means to lead water into the cage 12, shown in the figure with a water inlet 16. Furthermore, the cage 12 is equipped with means to lead water and waste out of the cage 12, shown in the figure with a water outlet 18 and an outlet 19 for waste such as sludge, faeces, uneaten feed etc..

Figur 1 viser skjematisk også selve kjernen i oppfinnelsen, dvs. at det benyttes to eller flere flytekrager. I denne utførelse av oppfinnelsen er det vist en andre flytekrage 20, og til denne flytekrage 20 er merdens 12 vegger 14 festet. Med termen «vegg» menes her både de vertikale vegger, og eventuelle skråstilte og horisontale veggpartier i merdens 12 bunnpart. Med termene «lukket vegg» og «lukket merd» menes det at store deler av merdens veggpartier er vannugjennomtrengelige, slik at man dermed hindrer at vann med patogene organismer føres over veggene 14 og inn i merden 12. Figure 1 schematically also shows the core of the invention itself, i.e. that two or more floating collars are used. In this embodiment of the invention, a second floating collar 20 is shown, and to this floating collar 20 the walls 14 of the cage 12 are attached. With the term "wall" is meant here both the vertical walls, and any inclined and horizontal wall sections in the 12 bottom part of the cage. With the terms "closed wall" and "closed cage" it is meant that large parts of the cage's wall parts are impermeable to water, so that water with pathogenic organisms is thus prevented from being carried over the walls 14 and into the cage 12.

For noen parasitter, som for eksempel lakselus som angriper laksefisk, så er det kjent at disse kun finnes i visse sjikt av vannsøylen. Man unngår eller reduserer betydelig problemet med lakselus dersom merden er tett/vannugjennomtrengelige i den øvre part, for eksempel dersom den har en vertikal utstrekning nedover i vannsøylen på minst 15 meter. For some parasites, such as salmon lice that attack salmon, it is known that these are only found in certain layers of the water column. The problem with salmon lice is avoided or significantly reduced if the cage is tight/water-impermeable in the upper part, for example if it has a vertical extension downwards in the water column of at least 15 metres.

Oppfinnelsen er derfor ikke begrenset til at hele merden, dvs. alle veggene, må være tette. Det kan benyttes merder som er tette i de partier der parasittene befinner seg idet merden er arrangert flytene. Imidlertid, den mest foretrukne utførelser av merdarrangementet 10 omfatter merder 12 som er helt tette i alle vegg- og bunnpartier. Merdene 12 er normalt åpne i det parti som vender oppover, og har således form som en åpen pose. Dette åpne oppovervendende parti er ofte utstyrt med en not for å hindre rømning og inntreng av fugler. The invention is therefore not limited to the fact that the entire cage, i.e. all the walls, must be tight. Cages can be used that are tight in the parts where the parasites are located, as the cage is arranged to float. However, the most preferred embodiment of the cage arrangement 10 comprises cages 12 which are completely sealed in all wall and bottom portions. The cages 12 are normally open in the part that faces upwards, and thus have the shape of an open bag. This open, upward-facing part is often equipped with a groove to prevent the escape and entry of birds.

Formålet med oppfinnelsen er at merden 12 skal tåle større påkjenninger enn konvensjonelle løsninger. Dette oppnås ved å benytte to eller flere merdkrager. Den andre merdkrage 20 har tilstrekkelig oppdrift til å holde merden 12 flytende under normale påkjenninger. Utvendig i forhold til denne andre merdkrave 20 er det så anordnet en første merdkrage 22. Fortrinnsvis har denne første merdkrage 22 større oppdriftsegenskaper enn den andre merdkrage 20. Mellom den andre merdkrage 20 og første merdkrage 22 er der anordnet en tett vegg 16. Mellom merdkragene 20,22 og veggen 16 etableres det så et andre vannvolum, i figur 1 angitt som B. Dette fungerer som et kompenseringsvolum og bevirker større fleksibilitet og styrke i merdarrangementet 10. Avstanden (horisontal posisjon) mellom flytekragene 20,22 kan således endres når merden 12 utsettes for krefter. Også den vertikale posisjon mellom flytekragene 20,22 kan endres, for eksempel ved at den andre flytekrage 20 trekkes ned i vannet som følge av påkjenningen på merdveggene 14. Den ytterste flytekragen 22, i figur 1 vist som den første flytekrage 22, er tilstrekkelig dimensjoner til at merden 12 holdes flytende i vannet og ikke trekkes under vann. The purpose of the invention is for the cage 12 to withstand greater stresses than conventional solutions. This is achieved by using two or more cage collars. The second cage collar 20 has sufficient buoyancy to keep the cage 12 afloat under normal stresses. Externally in relation to this second cage collar 20, a first cage collar 22 is then arranged. Preferably, this first cage collar 22 has greater buoyancy properties than the second cage collar 20. Between the second cage collar 20 and first cage collar 22, a tight wall 16 is arranged. Between the cage collars 20,22 and the wall 16, a second volume of water is then established, indicated as B in figure 1. This functions as a compensation volume and causes greater flexibility and strength in the cage arrangement 10. The distance (horizontal position) between the floating collars 20,22 can thus be changed when the cage 12 are exposed to forces. The vertical position between the floating collars 20,22 can also be changed, for example by the second floating collar 20 being pulled down into the water as a result of the stress on the cage walls 14. The outermost floating collar 22, shown in Figure 1 as the first floating collar 22, has sufficient dimensions so that the cage 12 is kept floating in the water and is not pulled under water.

Ved påkjenning fra bølger vil en også unngå såkalt skvulpe effekt, som kan sammenlignes med det som en merker når en skal bære et vaskefat halvfullt med vann. Fenomenet er beskrevet i Sintef-rapporten fra 2011, Kartlegging av ulike miljømessige løsninger for å møte de miljømessige utfordringene i havbruksnæringen. Dette fenomenet opptrer når en bølge løfter den ene siden av en luket merd og dermed eksiterer vannsøylen på den ene siden. Vannet vil da bevege seg mot den andre siden og dermed får vi den omtalte skvulpeeffekten. When stressed by waves, you will also avoid the so-called sloshing effect, which can be compared to what you feel when you have to carry a wash basin half full of water. The phenomenon is described in the Sintef report from 2011, Mapping various environmental solutions to meet the environmental challenges in the aquaculture industry. This phenomenon occurs when a wave lifts one side of a closed cage and thus excites the water column on one side. The water will then move towards the other side and thus we get the aforementioned sloshing effect.

I fortrukne utførelser av oppfinnelsen der det mellom flytekragene 20, 22 anordnet et antall avstandselementer 30. Dette kan være langstrakte noe fleksible elementer 30 som holder to flytekrager 20,22 i en gitt avstand fra hverandre, og at denne avstanden kun endres når merden 12 og flytekragene 20,22 utsettes for ytre krefter. In preferred embodiments of the invention where a number of distance elements 30 are arranged between the floating collars 20, 22. These can be elongated somewhat flexible elements 30 which hold two floating collars 20, 22 at a given distance from each other, and that this distance only changes when the cage 12 and the floating collars 20,22 are exposed to external forces.

I none foretrukne utførelser er det mellom flytekragene 20,22 også anordnet et nett slik a fisk som er i merden 12 ikke kan komme over til vannreservoaret B. In some preferred embodiments, a net is also arranged between the floating collars 20,22 so that fish in the cage 12 cannot get over to the water reservoir B.

I figur 3 vises en utførelse av oppfinnelsen der det er anordnet ytterligere en flytekrage 24. Denne flytekragen 24 er anordnet mellom den andre flytekrage 20 og den første flytekrage 22. I ytterligere utførelser kan det være enda flere flytekrager. Mellom hver av disse flytekrager etableres det avgrensede vannreservoar. I figur 3 er dette angitt som reservoar B mellom flytekrage 20 og 24, og som reservoar C mellom flytekrage 24 og 22. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the invention in which a further floating collar 24 is arranged. This floating collar 24 is arranged between the second floating collar 20 and the first floating collar 22. In further embodiments, there may be even more floating collars. Between each of these floating collars, the delimited water reservoir is established. In Figure 3, this is indicated as reservoir B between float collars 20 and 24, and as reservoir C between float collars 24 and 22.

Disse vannreservoarene B, C kan benyttes til behandling av vannet som tilføres oppdrettsmerden 12, som nærmere forklart nedenfor. These water reservoirs B, C can be used to treat the water that is supplied to the rearing pen 12, as explained in more detail below.

Over vannreservoarene B,C og flytekragene 20,22,24 kan det anordnes en gangbro 50. A footbridge 50 can be arranged over the water reservoirs B, C and the floating collars 20, 22, 24.

Den foreliggende oppfinnelse, med ett eller flere vannreservoar, etablert mellom to flytekrager og tilhørende veggparti 16, og flytende utvendig i forhold til merden 12, tilveiebringer muligheter for å behandle vannet som skal tilføres merden 12. Dette er spesielt viktig ved resirkuleringsanlegg der alt eller deler av vannet som føres ut av merden 12 via utløp 18 tilbakeføres etter behandling og rensing til merden 12. Det kan imidlertid også utføres en vannbehandling dersom man henter vann fra en gitt dybde. The present invention, with one or more water reservoirs, established between two floating collars and associated wall part 16, and floating externally in relation to the cage 12, provides opportunities to treat the water to be supplied to the cage 12. This is particularly important in recycling facilities where all or parts of the water that is led out of the cage 12 via outlet 18 is returned after treatment and cleaning to the cage 12. However, water treatment can also be carried out if water is drawn from a given depth.

En fremgangsmåte for slik vannbehandling utføres ved at vann tilføres til et av de vannreservoar B,C som er etablert mellom flytekragene 20,22,24. I den andre flytekrage er der etablert en rekke åpninger 40 slik at vannet som strømmer i vannreservoar B ledes gjennom disse åpninger 40 og inn i hovedvannvolum A i merden 12. Dersom der er benyttet tre flytekrager 20,22,24 kan vannet som vist i figur 4 tilføres til det ytterste vannreservoar C, og strømme gjennom åpningene 42 i flytekrage 24, og videre gjennom åpninger 40 gjennom flytekrage 20 til merden 12.Ved ulike punkter eller områder i vannstrømningsbanen kan det så utføres ulike typer vannbehandling, så som fjerning av karbondioksid, tilføring av oksygen, fjerning av forurensninger, skimdrenering etc.. Fortrinnsvis er åpningene 40,42 skråstilt slik at vannet settes i rotasjon (strømning i kun én retning) og presses til et innenforliggende vannreservoar. A method for such water treatment is carried out by supplying water to one of the water reservoirs B, C which are established between the float collars 20,22,24. In the second float collar, a number of openings 40 have been established so that the water flowing in water reservoir B is led through these openings 40 and into the main water volume A in the cage 12. If three float collars 20,22,24 are used, the water as shown in figure 4 is supplied to the outermost water reservoir C, and flow through the openings 42 in the float collar 24, and further through openings 40 through the float collar 20 to the cage 12. At different points or areas in the water flow path, different types of water treatment can then be carried out, such as the removal of carbon dioxide, supply of oxygen, removal of pollutants, skim drainage, etc. Preferably, the openings 40,42 are inclined so that the water is set in rotation (flow in one direction only) and is pushed to an internal water reservoir.

Dersom anlegget benyttes som et resirkuleringsanlegg kan uttak av vann fra merden 12 gjøres via en sedimentfelle i merden 12 og overføres via et sedimentrør til en ekstern oppsamlings- og vannbehandlingsenhet (ikke nærmer vist), før vannet etter behandling og før ytterligere behandling i vannreservoarene b og c sirkuleres tilbake til merden 12. If the plant is used as a recycling plant, water can be withdrawn from the cage 12 via a sediment trap in the cage 12 and transferred via a sediment pipe to an external collection and water treatment unit (not shown near), before the water after treatment and before further treatment in the water reservoirs b and c is circulated back to cage 12.

Claims

Patent requirements

1. Floating dense cage arrangement (10) created by marine organisms, where the arrangement (10) includes;

- a closed cage (12) with water-permeable walls (14) for establishing a main water reservoir (A), where the walls (14) are attached to a float collar (22),

- at least one intake pipeline (16) for the supply of fresh water,

- at least one outlet pipe (18,19) for the discharge of water and waste from the cage (12),

characterized by

- the cage arrangement (10) comprises a second floating collar (20) arranged within said first floating collar (22), and

- that a water-permeable wall (16) is arranged between said first and second floating collars (22,20) so that a second water reservoir (B) is established on the outside in relation to the cage (12).

2. Cage arrangement (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the water-permeable walls (14, 16) are made of a flexible material, such as canvas or tarpaulin.

3. Cage arrangement (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the water-permeable walls (14) are of an essentially rigid material, such as fiberglass, steel, concrete.

4. Cage arrangement (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the first float collar (22) is dimensioned with a greater buoyancy effect than the second float collar (20).

5. Cage arrangement (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the second float collar (20) is dimensioned and has buoyancy properties sufficient for it to hold the weight of increased water volume as a result of pumping water into the cage (12), or by other movement of water such as by the influence of external forces such as wave or flow forces.

6. Cage arrangement (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the second floating collar (20) is dimensioned with buoyancy properties that are no greater than that it will be pulled down in the water in which it floats in the event of significant water movement in the water reservoir (A), while the first floating collar (22) is dimensioned with sufficient buoyancy elements to be kept afloat at the same water displacements in the water reservoir (A).

7. Cage arrangement (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that between the first floating collar (22) and the second floating collar (20) a notch (28) or netting is arranged to prevent the marine organisms in the cage 12 from being transferred between the main water reservoir (A) and the second water reservoir (B).

8. Cage arrangement (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that spacer elements (30) are arranged between the first floating collar (22) and the second floating collar (20) in order to keep the second floating collar (20) at a distance from the outer first float collar (22).

9. Cage arrangement (10) in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that said spacer elements (30) are flexible and arranged so that they can accommodate some movement between the first float collar (22) and the second float collar (20) when the main water reservoir (A) is reached is exposed to external forces, or when the degree of filling in the cage (12) changes.

10. Cage arrangement (10) in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that the second floating collar (20) is dimensioned in relation to the strength of the fabric and reduces or eliminates the danger of overloading the capacities of the flexible fabric/net.

11. Cage arrangement (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that within the first float collar (22) a number of additional float collars (24) are arranged for the establishment of additional water volume C between said first float collar (22) and float collar (24) .

12. Cage arrangement (10) in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that the number of additional float collars (24) is one, and that a water volume (C) is established between the first float collar (22) and this one (third) float collar (24) .

14. Cage arrangement in accordance with any of claims 11-12, characterized in that there is a groove or netting arranged between said floating collars to prevent the marine organisms from being transferred between the water reservoirs, and distance elements (30) to keep the floating collars at a distance from each other.

15. Cage arrangement in accordance with any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that the water volume (B) and possibly additional water volume (C) are used for water treatment, such as for water purification, oxygenation, removal of carbon dioxide, etc. which is supplied to the main water reservoir ( A).

16. Cage arrangement in accordance with claim 15, characterized in that a number of openings (40) are arranged in a part of said second float collar (20) so that water can flow from the water reservoir (B) to the main water reservoir (A).

17. Cage arrangement in accordance with claim 15, characterized in that a number of openings (42) are arranged in a portion of the additional float collars (24) so that water can flow from a water volume (C) to a water volume (B).

18. Cage arrangement (10) in accordance with any of claims 15-17, characterized in that the water volumes (B) and (C) are used for water treatment in a water recycling system.

19. Cage arrangement (10) in accordance with any of claims 1-18, characterized in that installations such as platform/walkway (50) are arranged over the float collars (20,22,24) and water volumes (B,C).

20. Cage arrangement (10) in accordance with any of claims 1-19, characterized in that said marine organisms are fish.

21. Method for treating water that is supplied to a breeding cage (12) in a cage arrangement (10), characterized in that the cage arrangement (10) comprises at least two float collars (20,22) and that between these float collars (20,22) a tight wall (16) arranged so that a water reservoir (B) is established between the float collars, and that water to be supplied to the cage is supplied to this water reservoir (B), and that the water is forced to flow in the longitudinal direction of the water reservoir, and that the water as it flows around the cage (12) in the water reservoir (B) is subjected to at least one water treatment, before the water is forced to flow through openings (40) in the float collar (20) and into the main volume (A) of the cage (12).

22. Method in accordance with claim 21, characterized in that the cage arrangement comprises at least three float collars (20,22,24) so that at least two water reservoirs (B,C) are established in addition to the main reservoir (A), and that the water treatment takes place in these at least two reservoirs (B,C), as water to be treated is supplied to reservoir (C), forced to flow in the longitudinal direction of reservoir (C), and via openings to reservoir (B), and further throughout reservoir B in its longitudinal direction and via openings (40) to the merden's (12) main magazine (A).

23. Method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that any water treatment can be carried out, preferably selected from the group consisting of removal of carbon dioxide, supply of oxygen, removal of impurities and skim drainage.

24. Method according to any one of claims 21-23, characterized in that the cage arrangement (10) is used as a recycling system, and that significant parts of the water that exits via outlet lines (18,19) are treated while the water flows through the water reservoir (B, C).